A dental diagnosing and dispensing apparatus and a system and a method for providing same
22 claims: 3 independent, 19 dependent
- 1Urządzenie do diagnozowania stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika oraz wydawania aparatu dentystycznego w jednym z licznych różnych rozmiarów, noszonego w jamie ustnej użytkownika, przy czym część tych licznych rozmaicie zwymiarowanych aparatów dentystycznych jest zawarta w obrębie każdego z trzech stanów ortodontycznych, zawierające urządzenie utrwalające obraz, które otrzymuje obraz części jamy ustnej użytkownika i wytwarza sygnał reprezentujący ten obraz, a także jednostkę centralną zaprogramowaną na podstawie danych dotyczących wad ortodontycznych, znamienne tym, że jednostka centralna ma elementy klasyfikujące sygnał wysyłany przez urządzenie utrwalające obraz na jeden z trzech stanów ortodontycznych, a ponadto ma elementy do wydawania aparatu dentystycznego, wybranego z licznych różnie zwymiarowanych aparatów dentystycznych, odpowiednio do stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika.
- 2Urządzenie według zastrz. 1, znamienne tym, że jednostka centralna zawiera elementy wejściowe do wprowadzania informacji.
- 3Urządzenie według zastrz. 1, znamienne tym, że zawiera urządzenie płatnicze, zaprogramowane do przyjmowania zapłaty od użytkownika.
- 4Urządzenie według zastrz. 1, znamienne tym, że obraz części jamy ustnej użytkownika jest obrazem pojedynczego zęba użytkownika.
- 5Urządzenie według zastrz. 1, znamienne tym, że jednostka centralna znajduje się z dala od urządzenia utrwalającego obraz.
- 6Urządzenie według zastrz. 1, znamienne tym, że część jamy ustnej użytkownika obejmuje obszar od linii centralnej zębów użytkownika do tylnej części wnętrza jamy ustnej użytkownika.
- 7Urządzenie według zastrz. 1, znamienne tym, że obraz jest obrazem pojedynczego zęba użytkownika.
- 8System do diagnozowania stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika, zawierający aparat wyposażony w urządzenie utrwalające obraz, które otrzymuje obraz części jamy ustnej użytkownika, a także w urządzenie do przesyłania danych, przesyłające sygnał reprezentujący ten obraz oraz jednostkę centralną położoną z dala od tego aparatu, zaprogramowaną na podstawie danych statystycznych dotyczących wad ortodontycznych, przy czym jednostka centralna jest połączona z aparatem poprzez elementy odbierające sygnał pochodzący z aparatu, znamienny tym, że jednostka centralna ma elementy klasyfikujące sygnał wysyłany przez urządzenie utrwalające obraz na jeden z licznych stanów ortodontycznych.
- 9System według zastrz. 8, znamienny tym, że urządzenie do przesyłania danych ma elementy wejściowe do wprowadzania informacji.
- 10System według zastrz. 8, znamienny tym, że zawiera urządzenie płatnicze zaprogramowane do przyjmowania zapłaty od użytkownika.
- 11System według zastrz. 8, znamienny tym, że jednostka centralna ma elementy klasyfikujące sygnał wysyłany przez urządzenie utrwalające obraz na liczne stany ortodontyczne.
- 12System według zastrz. 8, znamienny tym, że jednostka centralna ma elementy do diagnozowania stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika w oparciu o wiek użytkownika.
- 13System według zastrz. 8, znamienny tym, że część jamy ustnej użytkownika stanowi pojedynczy ząb użytkownika.
- 14Sposób diagnozowania stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika, zawierający etapy dostarczenia aparatu zawierającego urządzenie utrwalające obraz, otrzymującego obraz części jamy ustnej użytkownika, i zawierającego ponadto urządzenie transmitujące dane do przesyłania do jednostki centralnej sygnału reprezentującego obraz lub zbiór danych użytkownika, dostarczenia jednostki centralnej znajdującej się z dala od tego aparatu i zaprogramowanej na podstawie danych statystycznych dotyczących wad ortodontycznych, otrzymywania obrazu części jamy ustnej użytkownika i przesyłania tego obrazu do jednostki centralnej, znamienny tym, że za pomocą jednostki centralnej klasyfikuje się sygnał wysyłany przez urządzenie utrwalające obraz na jeden z licznych stanów ortodontycznych.
- 15Sposób według zastrz. 14, znamienny tym, że jako część jamy ustnej użytkownika stosuje się pojedynczy ząb użytkownika.
- 16Sposób według zastrz. 14, znamienny tym, że jako część jamy ustnej użytkownika wykorzystuje się obszar od linii centralnej uzębienia użytkownika do tylnej części wnętrza jamy ustnej użytkownika. PL 203 276 B1
- 17Sposób według zastrz. 14, znamienny tym, że jednostkę centralną programuje się dla diagnozowania stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika w oparciu o wiek użytkownika.
- 18Sposób według zastrz. 14, znamienny tym, że za pomocą jednostki centralnej klasyfikuje się sygnał wysyłany przez urządzenie utrwalające obraz na liczne stany ortodontyczne.
- 19Sposób według zastrz. 14, znamienny tym, że jako część jamy ustnej wykorzystuje się obszar od pojedynczego zęba do linii centralnej uzębienia użytkownika.
- 20Sposób według zastrz. 14, znamienny tym, że zawiera etapy dostarczenia płytki, umieszczenia płytki w ustach użytkownika i wykonania odcisku zęba użytkownika, utrwalenia obrazu płytki, przesłania obrazu płytki do jednostki centralnej.
- 21Sposób według zastrz. 14, znamienny tym, że zawiera etapy dostarczenia korytka, umieszczenia korytka w ustach użytkownika i wykonania odcisku zęba użytkownika, utrwalenia obrazu korytka, i przesiania obrazu korytka do jednostki centralnej.
- 22Sposób według zastrz. 14, znamienny tym, że zawiera etapy dostarczenia urządzenia odciskowego zdolnego do otrzymania odcisku zęba użytkownika, umieszczenia urządzenia odciskowego w ustach użytkownika i wykonania odcisku zęba użytkownika, utrwalenia obrazu urzą dzenia odciskowego, i przesłania obrazu urządzenia odciskowego do jednostki centralnej.
Independent claims22
80 paragraphs in 1 section, as filed
Description of the invention
The present invention relates to a device for diagnosing the orthodontic condition of a user, a system for diagnosing the orthodontic condition of a user, and a method for diagnosing the orthodontic condition of a user.
In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus, system and method that allows one or more users to examine a part of the oral cavity and make a diagnosis of its orthodontic condition and, depending on the condition, obtain a dental corrective apparatus.
Of course, making an analysis of human dentition is known. Over the course of a person's life, teeth often require corrective measures to keep them healthy or to correct defects that the person may have been born with or acquired at a later age, such as deep bite, overshot, crowding and / or spacing. The need for corrective measures has given rise to various procedures, tests, diagnoses and the like, for example by a dentist or orthodontist, as well as corrective measures in the form of dental appliances which can be worn in the mouth.
However, dentists and orthodontists are often unavailable to a person because of their schedule, geography, or various other reasons. In addition, these types of specialists may not be available to some people for economic reasons. In other cases, such as third world countries, dentists and orthodontists are unavailable to some people for reasons such as poverty or inability to reach the dentist's office. As a consequence, people living in third world countries are often deprived of dental care and / or the necessary corrective measures, including diagnosis and counseling.
It is also generally known to use a machine that examines the oral cavity and / or dentition of a user who is seeking diagnosis and / or corrective measures. The machine notifies users as to whether they require a dental appliance. Such a machine operates in an environment completely independent of the dentist's office. However, the known machines have a complex structure and a limited scope of the tests performed. For example, known machines can take pictures of the entire interior of the mouth. As a result, the testing process is tedious and time consuming. Moreover, the accuracy of the diagnosis of known machines depends on the angle at which the inside of the mouth is photographed. Additionally, data downloaded by known machines is compared with data stored in the machine. For such machines, the processing unit within the machine and the associated software is the only source from which the user is diagnosed.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved device, system and method for obtaining an improved dental diagnosis and an improved evaluation of image data by transmitting these data, for example, using a digital camera, x-ray or the like, via the Internet, e-mail, telephone, satellite or the similar to further assessment and / or diagnosis as well as remote issuing of the correction apparatus, if it is necessary.
A device for diagnosing the orthodontic condition of a user and dispensing a dental appliance in one of a number of different sizes to be worn in the mouth of a user, a portion of the plurality of differently sized dental appliances being comprised within each of the three orthodontic conditions comprising an image fixative device that receives the image parts of the user's mouth and produces a signal representing that image, and a central unit programmed on the basis of orthodontic defect data, according to the invention is characterized in that the central unit has means for classifying the signal sent by the image fixture device into one of three orthodontic states, and further has means for dispensing a dental appliance selected from a number of different of the dental appliances that are sized according to the orthodontic condition of the user.
The processing unit includes information input means and is remote from the image fixture device.
The device according to the invention preferably comprises a payment device programmed to receive payment from the user.
The image of a portion of the user's mouth is an image of a single tooth of the user.
A portion of the user's mouth extends from the centerline of the user's teeth to the rear portion of the user's mouth.
PL 203 276 B1
A system for diagnosing the orthodontic condition of a user, comprising an apparatus having an image fixing device that receives an image of a part of the user's mouth, and a data transmission device transmitting a signal representing that image, and a central unit remote from the apparatus programmed on the basis of statistical data on orthodontic defects, the central unit is connected to the apparatus via means for receiving a signal from the apparatus, according to the invention, characterized in that the central unit has means for classifying the signal sent by the image fixture device into one of a plurality of orthodontic conditions.
The data transfer device has inputs for entering information.
The system according to the invention preferably comprises a payment device programmed to receive payment from the user.
The central unit has means for classifying the signal sent by the image capture device into a plurality of orthodontic conditions, and means for diagnosing the orthodontic condition of the user based on the age of the user.
A portion of the user's mouth preferably comprises a single tooth of the user.
A method of diagnosing an orthodontic condition of a user, the method comprising the steps of providing an apparatus including an image capture device receiving an image of a portion of the user's mouth, and further comprising a data transmitting device for transmitting to a central unit a signal representing the image or data set of the user, providing a central unit remote from the apparatus and programmed on the basis of statistical data on orthodontic defects, obtaining an image of a part of the user's mouth and transmitting this image to the central unit, according to the invention, characterized in that the central unit classifies the signal sent by an image fixative for one of a number of orthodontic conditions.
A single tooth of the user is used as part of the user's mouth, or the area from the centerline of the user's dentition to the back of the interior of the user's mouth, or the area from a single tooth to the centerline of the user's dentition.
The central unit is programmed to diagnose the orthodontic condition of the user based on the age of the user.
The central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the imaging device into a plurality of orthodontic conditions.
The method of the invention comprises the steps of providing a plaque, placing the plaque in the user's mouth and making an imprint of the user's tooth, fixing the plaque image, and transmitting the plaque image to the central unit, or the steps of providing a tray, placing the tray in the user's mouth and making an imprint of the user's tooth, fixing the tray image. , and send the image of the tray to the central unit, or the steps of providing an impression device capable of obtaining an impression of a tooth of a user, placing an impression device in the mouth of a user and taking an impression of the user's tooth, fixing an image of the impression device, and transmitting an image of the impression device to a central unit.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus, system and method for diagnosing a user as to their orthodontic defect, and for dispensing the dental appliance to the user.
Yet another advantage of the invention is to provide an apparatus, system and method that allows the oral cavity of a user to be assessed based on results extrapolated from an image of a single tooth.
Furthermore, it is an advantage of the invention to provide an apparatus, system and method for evaluating images of a portion of the mouth of a user by transmitting these images to a remote central unit and / or elsewhere on an individual.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide an apparatus, system and method for the dispensing of dental corrective appliances based on the categories of dentition defects in order to increase the efficiency of the assessment.
Moreover, it is an advantage of the invention to provide an apparatus, system and method for communicating with a user and diagnosing the condition of the temporomandibular joint via voice means such as a loudspeaker system and the like or in writing.
The subject of the invention is presented in the drawing examples, in which fig. 1 shows a block diagram of the system according to the invention, fig. 2 - a block diagram of the method according to the invention.
Fig. 3 - top view of the dental appliance delivered by the system according to the invention, fig. 4 - perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention, fig. 5 - side view of the device according to the invention, fig. 6 - perspective view of the device according to the invention, fig. 7 - perspective view of a plate dispensed from the system according to the invention, fig. 8 - perspective view of another plate dispensed from the system according to the invention, fig. 9 - perspective view of a tray dispensed from the system according to the invention, fig. 10 - side view of the device according to the invention.
The invention relates generally to an apparatus, system and method that provides a user with a dental evaluation and / or diagnosis and / or a dental appliance by examining a portion of the user's mouth. Accordingly, the device, system and method evaluate images or impressions of a part of the mouth to determine whether it may be medically treated and / or corrected by a dental appliance stored in the machine and dispensable from that machine; or also sent directly to the user from a remote location or issued by a representative.
Fig. 1 shows a system 1 having a central processing unit 10 (referred to as CPU). The CPU 10 may evaluate the data sent to the CPU 10 by the system components 1. In addition, the CPU 10 may control the system components 1. The CPU 10 may be programmed by a person skilled in the art to evaluate the data as well as control the operation of system components 1.
Additionally, system 1 may include an information recording unit 20 (hereinafter referred to as IRC).
IRC 20 may include an input device as part of it for user input of data to be processed by CPU 10 before, during, or after system 1 has been tested. Such information may include, but is not limited to, the age of the user. , race, gender and the like. The IRC input device 20 may include a keyboard or any other means for entering characters or information to be processed by the CPU 10.
System 1 may also include a monitor 30 that may allow the user to view the information he enters into the IRC 20. Additionally, monitor 30 may display instructions to the user to properly use system 1.
The system may also have an output device 35 such as a loudspeaker or other component known to those skilled in the art. The output device 35 may verbally communicate with the user and may question the user about the orthodontic defect.
System 1 may also include an image capturing device 40 (referred to herein as ICC). ICC device 40 can capture images of a portion of the interior of the mouth and / or the exterior surface of a user's face. ICC device 40 can capture images, whether digital, still, video, X-ray digital or the like, using a camera or any other image capture device known to those skilled in the art. Images derived from ICC 40 may be fed to the CPU 10 for evaluation.
The system may also include a focusing mechanism 45 used in conjunction with ICC 40. The focusing mechanism 45 may consist of a lens or the like. The CPU 10 can estimate the distance from the digital X-ray image, photographic image, or other type of image to the tooth surface using the focusing mechanism 45, then it can estimate the amount of enlargement or reduction required to make a diagnosis to calculate the proper size of the user's tooth or teeth.
Images derived from ICC 40 or information collected by system 1 may otherwise be transmitted electronically or otherwise by data transmitting component 50 (hereinafter referred to as DTC). DTC 50 may transfer images or data elsewhere, such as via the Internet, email, or other means of communication, for evaluation by another system or individual, such as a physician, dentist, orthodontist. DTC 50 may be implemented by those skilled in the art to transmit images and / or data via, for example, the Internet, telephone line, satellite, or other communication means.
System 1 may also include a storage space 60 for dental appliances. Space 60 may contain a variety of dental appliances that may be dispensed to a user by system 1. CPU 10 of system 1 may store information relating to a medical defect. This defect can be classified into one of three categories: minimal, moderate or severe. For example, the CPU 10 may store information such as, for example,
Medical standards for deep bite. The CPU 10 can judge whether the deep bite defect is minimal, moderate or severe based on the images derived from ICC 40. Accordingly, ranges can be determined that correspond to each of these three categories. User information and images from ICC device 40 can be analyzed by suitable software installed in CPU 10 to determine which category the user will be classified into. A deep bite that is larger than the minimum can be treated with a dental corrector. If the CPU 10 detects that the user's deep bite is greater than a minimum, the user may be dispensed from the dental appliance storage space 60. However, if the CPU 10 detects that the degree of the defect is maximum and / or further detects that the age of the user is greater than 15 years, the CPU 10 may choose to refuse to diagnose and / or issue the dental appliance to the user.
In addition, system 1 may also include a service payment element 70 (hereinafter referred to as SCC). SCC 70 may allow the user to pay for services provided by system 1. SCC 70 may, for example, contain credit card processing means that will allow the user to pay for services rendered by credit card, debit card, and the like. Additionally, the SCC 70 may accept as payment for the use of the system 1 cash, negotiable documents or the like and / or issue a receipt for the release of the camera.
Fig. 2 shows a flowchart 200 of system 1. System 1 can perform a dental examination of a user and / or make a diagnosis regarding his condition. Use of system 1 may be initiated, for example, by inputting personal information relating to a user, as shown in the form of step 210, into IRC 20. The personal information may be processed by the CPU 10 as shown in the form of step 215 to correlate it with preset dental standards for individuals of different age, race, gender, and the like, which standards may already be stored in the CPU 10. .
The user may then place the head as indicated by step 220 on the headrest, chin rest, or similar system component to perform the examination. Then, images of the inside of the user's mouth may be taken as shown in step 230. These images may be taken using, for example, a digital camera, a digital X-ray image, and the like.
The images may then, as shown in step 240, be screened either out of the CPU 10, for example to a physician, dentist, orthodontist and / or other qualified professional, or also to CPU 10, for evaluation in step 270. This transmission may be made. for example, via the Internet, e-mail, telephone line, satellite or other means. Alternatively, the analysis and diagnosis can be performed as a result of a local transfer to the CPU 10 of system 1.
The system and method of the invention may use a variety of images to determine the medical condition of a user. For example, the CPU 10 can evaluate the front view image to determine the centerline of a specific front incisor to calculate its exact mesiodistal width, and also to accurately calculate the size of all other deciduous and permanent teeth, erupted and unresolved, in accordance with medical standards stored in the CPU 10. Additionally, the frontal view can be used to determine if the user is suffering from a deep bite, gingival recession, or lower incisor perpendicularity. In addition, the front view can be used to detect twisting or crowding or apart of the incisors, cross bite of anterior or posterior teeth.
The CPU 10 can perform image analysis while having a view of the teeth chewing surface of a user's mouth for twisting the front teeth as well as determining the width of the teeth and the severity of the crowding and spacing of the front teeth. The CPU 10 may identify the centerline of a user's teeth and may be able to deduct the user's teeth from the centerline based on the specific anatomical properties of each user's tooth to determine which teeth are present and which teeth are missing.
The CPU 10 may analyze the image based on a side view of a portion of the user's mouth to measure the intervals where the back teeth are generally present but may not yet have fully grown out. The CPU 10 may also analyze the side view image to determine the posterior cross bite and the severity of the overshot bite. Additionally, the CPU 10 may analyze the side view image to determine if the user has a properly closed mouth. If the user closes his mouth improperly, the CPU 10 and / or system 1 can direct the user how
Correctly compensate for misalignment in order to obtain a more accurate measurement of overshot and deep bite. The CPU 10 may also analyze the side view image of the user's face to measure the height of the face and the effect of overshot bite on the facial profile. The frontal view of the face can be used to determine the compliance of the lips after closure and / or the deviation of the height of the face and lower jaw when opening the jaw. The side view of the face is used to position the jaw in the antero-posterior direction.
The system 1 according to the invention can also evaluate and predict the size of all teeth in the oral cavity and diagnose the correctness of the space for the user's emerging teeth only on the basis of image fixation of a single tooth. In fact, the system 1 of the invention can determine the size of other teeth based on the size of a single tooth as well as from certain dental standards such as those illustrated in Appendix A and stored in CPU 10 to allow CPU 10 to extrapolate different sizes of the rest of the dentition. in the mouth of the user. In addition, the CPU 10 can distinguish whether the front tooth is reliable to extrapolate the sizes of other teeth, both deciduous and permanent, as well as the interdental spaces.
In addition, the CPU 10 may be programmed to recognize certain characteristic anatomical and morphological differences of different teeth, such as canines, premolars, molars, and incisors, as well as differences between deciduous and permanent teeth. These differences also result in different mesio-distal widths as well as differences in clinical crown heights that distinguish milk teeth from permanent teeth.
Additionally, the system 1 according to the invention can store in the CPU 10 medical standards for different races of people. Statistical comparisons can be used to determine by the CPU 10 whether certain teeth are deciduous or permanent, as well as to determine the size of certain teeth in the user's mouth, even if the angle at which the images are captured is not right angles to the teeth. In fact, the CPU 10 can determine which teeth have turned and which have not. The CPU 10 can evaluate the views of the chewing surfaces of the teeth as well as the widths of the twisted front teeth. The CPU 10 can then determine which tooth is twisted or not based on its width in the front view. Additionally, statistical comparisons can help the CPU 10 to detect the presence of spacing or crowding, and the magnitude of the spacing and / or crowding. In addition, the CPU 10 can also detect space gaps due to caries and premature loss of either deciduous teeth with unfavorable drift of adjacent adult teeth and / or loss of permanent teeth or loss of space due to caries or abnormal growth or non-growth of teeth with a lack of space.
In addition, the CPU 10 can detect any gaps in the teeth of the user. When a tooth is missing in the image and a dark space is detected in its place, the CPU 10 can discover which tooth should be there. The CPU 10 can deduct teeth from the centerline and can detect whether all teeth are present or if the tooth actually belongs to that location. If the CPU 10 discovers that a tooth belongs to this dark space, it can judge whether the space is the correct size for the tooth. The CPU 10 may also define tooth shortenings mesially into and / or away from space. The CPU 10 can determine this percentage by measuring the mesial-distal dimension of the tooth image and dividing that dimension to the size of the tooth by a factor estimating its size from the width of the upper middle incisor. The CPU 10 may then calculate the actual mesial-distal distance that occurs in that space by multiplying the shortened space by this magnification factor.
Additionally, if the images are not captured at right angles, whether the image is a single tooth or a plurality of teeth, the computer program stored in CPU 10 may allow the CPU 10 to configure the images to compensate for this mismatch.
Moreover, if the user requires a dental appliance, the system 1 of the invention can dimension the appliance to fit the dentition of the user based on the measurement of a single tooth. In particular, a computer program stored in CPU 10 may enable the CPU 10 to overlay an image of the dental appliance on an image of a user's teeth, extrapolated from single tooth image data as well as statistical data stored in CPU 10.
In addition to the images captured by ICC 40, System 1 may ask the user if he can hear the sounds or clicks of the temporomandibular joint and may ask the user to move his jaw
Downwards and forwards to determine if that sound or pop is no longer present. System 1 may query the user visually via messages displayed on the monitor 30 or system 1 may query the user verbally through a speaker system or the like. The user may be able to answer verbally or by entering information into IRC 20. In addition, system 1 can determine if there is a dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint by observing the opening of the lower jaw to its maximum opening.
System 1 can also determine if the user has a correct bite in the forward position and / or in the incompletely closed position. System 1 may ask the user to close his mouth. If system 1 detects via ICC 40 and CPU 10 that the user is not properly closing his mouth, it can compensate for this by aligning the image of the upper jaw and lower jaw by, for example, reorienting the part of the image including the lower jaw until it is correctly aligned with the part of the image. containing the user's upper jaw. As a result, more accurate estimates of the maxillary, molar or overshot relationship can be computed.
Once the diagnosis has been reached by the external source, CPU 10, or both CPU 10 and the source, the diagnosis may be communicated to the user in writing, for example on a sheet of paper issued by system 1. The sheet may contain a graphical representation of the mouth of the mouth of the user. Optionally, the diagnosis can be made to the user by verbal means, e.g. via a loudspeaker associated with system 1 and the like. Additionally, the diagnosis can be issued to the user in the form of a message displayed on the monitor 30.
In diagnosis, system 1 may determine if a user requires a dental appliance as shown in step 290. The CPU 10 may be pre-programmed by data signifying the severity of the condition, such as deep bite or overshot bite, for different ages, races, sexes, and similarly. The CPU 10 can be programmed to classify the severity of a deep bite or an overshot bite into minimal, moderate, or severe bite, based on specific medical standards. If the CPU 10 determines that the severity of the user's defect is amenable to treatment by wearing the dental appliance, system 1 may output an appropriately sized dental appliance as indicated in step 300. However, if the user does not require the dental appliance and / or the condition of the user cannot be corrected by the dental appliance, system 1 may inform the user thereof, as shown in step 280.
After the above services are performed, the user may pay for them as shown in step 310. Payment may be made by, for example, a credit card or a debit card. Accordingly, the user may place a credit or debit card in system 1 after which that card may be charged for the service. System 1 may be connected via the Internet, telephone line or other means of telecommunications to another system, such as a financial institution, capable of registering the charge. In another embodiment, the payment may be made by receipt of the transferable document or cash at system 1.
Figure 3 shows in general a dental appliance 300 that can be dispensed by system 1. The dental appliance 300 can be constructed of, for example, rubber or other material known to those skilled in the art. The dental appliance 300 can correct orthodontic defects, such as deep bite, overshot bite, and the like, and can be worn by the user. The dental appliance 300 may have a variety of configurations to correct an orthodontic defect depending on the age and number of adult teeth present in the user's mouth. Advantageously, the system 1 according to the invention stores and / or delivers three differently configured dental appliances for correcting a number of diagnosed defects. For example, if the orthodontic defects that can be diagnosed by the system include early case correction appliances (4 to 7 years old), mixed dentition (6 to 12 years old) and adult (12 years old and older) dentures, the system can store and collect three different dental appliances 300 with several different sizes for each type, one appliance for each age range. Of course, the system 1 may be programmed to diagnose any of a number of orthodontic defects with the availability of any of the numerous dental appliances available in the system 1 to correct the diagnosed defect.
System 1 can also judge what type and size of dental appliance 300 a user needs based on the number of teeth in the mouth. System 1 may advantageously comprise three types of dental appliances 300 that suit users with 20, 24, and 28 oral teeth as measured and extrapolated, for example, measured from the centerline to the back of the user's mouth. Each type of dental appliance 300 may advantageously be varied
These sizes. System 1 may provide the user with a particular dental appliance 300 of the type and size of the dental appliance 300 suitable for the orthodontic defect of the user.
In another embodiment of system 1, the system can only diagnose the user's orthodontic defect based on the age information of the user. The user may enter his age into IRC element 20. The CPU 10 may then instruct system 1 to issue the dental appliance 300 of the correct type and size based on the age of the user and / or medical standards programmed into the CPU 10.
In another embodiment, system 1 may use the age of the user to assist in making a diagnosis. For example, if the CPU 10 receives information that the user has 21 teeth in the mouth, the system 1 may be programmed to determine that based on the age of the user, three molars should be present. System 1 can then determine that a dental appliance 300 corresponding to a dental appliance intended for a user with 24 teeth in the mouth is needed to correct the orthodontic defect of a user.
In another embodiment, a user's orthodontic defect may be diagnosed from an image of a single tooth. In this embodiment, if an anterior tooth is missing, system 1 can diagnose a user's orthodontic defect based on an image of another tooth in the user's mouth.
In yet another embodiment, a user's orthodontic defect may be diagnosed with an image of the inside of the user's mouth within the user's mouth area from a centreline towards the back of the user's mouth. One measurement from the centerline may be made, which identifies generally five, six or seven teeth. Based on the data from this measurement, the computer determines whether there are 20, 24 or 28 teeth in the user's mouth.
Fig. 4 shows a system 400 having a camera 410 for taking digital, still, video, X-ray digital photos and the like of a portion of a user's mouth. The camera 410 can be attached to a wall, for example, by fasteners 440, such as by a set of clamps 420 on the bar set 430, and can be adjusted by a user to a suitable height for taking pictures. The clamps 420 may be designed to engage the bars 430 and hold the camera 410 in place, unless it is moved under pressure applied by, for example, a user through the handle 450 to adjust the height of the camera 410. Accordingly, the user can grab the handle assembly 450 attached to the camera 410 to position the camera 410 at a suitable height.
System 400 may be used in a pharmacy, for example. The diagnosis may be sent to a remote location, such as via e-mail or the like, where an on duty, for example a pharmacist, can issue the dental appliance 300 to the user based on the diagnosis made. Alternatively, the system 1 may inform the user, visually via the monitor 30 or by other means of communication, of the location of the appropriate dental appliance in a pharmacy, grocery store or other place where such appliances may be available and / or sold.
Fig. 5 is a side view of a portion of the embodiment of the system illustrated in Fig. 4 where camera 410 is at the desired height. The user 512 may place his head 516 on the chin rest 510 and / or the head rest 518. The chin rest 510 and / or the head rest may, for example, be raised or lowered by various means known to those skilled in the art. For example, the camera 410 may be coupled to a CPU 10 that can evaluate images captured by camera 410 of a portion of the user's mouth 512. The CPU 10 may be integral with system 400 or located remotely from camera 410 of system 400.
Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the device 600 of the invention in which the camera 610 may be secured to e.g. a bar 620 using clamps 630. In this embodiment, the device 600 is not attached to a wall and may stand on a base 640 formed by the bar. 620 or other support. The user may raise and lower the camera 610 on the rod 620 to a desired height to allow the camera 610 to correctly capture images of the inside of the user's mouth. The device 600 may also be used in a pharmacy or other similar store.
In another embodiment of the invention, system 1 may provide a diagnosis to the user upon receipt of the images, for example via email, the Internet or the like. These images can be taken while the user places a ruler or other measuring device near the face. Then a second person, using a digital camera,
A digital video camera or similar device takes pictures of a user's face and / or profile. Additional images of the user may be taken, including an image of a smile in front, left or right of the mouth and / or in a top and bottom view of the chewing surface. The images may also be taken by the user using any type of digital camera or digital video camera remote control or by any other means known to those skilled in the art. These images can then be sent to another, remote location, such as via email, the Internet, or the like, where a diagnosis can be made, either by the CPU or by a human, to determine if the user is a potential dental appliance candidate. If the user is such a candidate, the CPU 10 or the adjudicator may also determine the type and size of the dental appliance. The user may then pay for the diagnosis and / or delivery of the dental appliance, such as via a credit card, by transmitting the credit card number along with the images, or disclosing the credit card number by other means known to those skilled in the art.
Fig. 7 shows a plate 700 that may be used to make a diagnosis of a user's orthodontic defect. The wafer 700 can be constructed of, for example, wax, rubber, plastic, or any other material known to those skilled in the art. The user may obtain the plate 700 from system 1 or the user may obtain the plate 700 via, for example, user responses to advertisements on the Internet, on television or on the radio. In addition, the board 700 may be available, for example, at a pharmacy, grocery store, or the like, or by direct mail to the user.
Figure 8 shows a wafer 800 that a user can burn to leave a fingerprint 810. After the user has made an imprint on board 800, it can be shipped to a remote location for diagnosis. The diagnostic process may include, for example, pouring 800 gypsum or other material known to those skilled in the art into the plaque to produce a positive pattern of the user's dentition. A plate, which may have a plane and a bed of pins, each of which is perpendicular to the plane and capable of being positioned along an axis perpendicular to the plane, may be used to form the shape of the imprint 810 in plate 800, and to obtain a positive pattern of the user's upper and lower teeth. . Then, if necessary, the correct type and size of the dental appliance 300 can be determined in order to correct the orthodontic defect of the user.
In yet another embodiment, after the user bites the plate 700, a depth-sensitive photograph of the plate 700 may be made. The depth-sensitive photograph can provide a three-dimensional image of the upper and lower teeth from which a diagnosis can be obtained.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, images of the user's mouth may be captured via a photosensitive or pressure-sensitive film that the user may place between the upper and lower jaws. This foil can then give an image of the upper teeth and lower teeth. The image may then be sent to a remote location, such as via the Internet, email, direct mail, or the like, for diagnosis by a CPU 10 or an individual.
Fig. 9 shows a tray 900 that may be used for user diagnosis, in another embodiment of the device of the invention. Trough 900 may have a flat interior 910 and an edge 920 that are sized to fit within the mouth of a user. The interior 910 of tray 900 may be filled with wax, mouldable plastic, or any other material known to those skilled in the art. The user may make an impression of the inside of the mouth by biting the inside 910 of the tray 900. The tray 900 or an image thereof may then be sent to a CPU 10 or an individual for diagnosis. Fig. 10 shows a side view of a tray 900.
In addition to plate 700 and tray 900, any other device known to those skilled in the art capable of providing an imprint of a user's toothing may be used. The impression device may then be sent to an individual for analysis. In addition, an image of the impression device can be made that can be inspected by a CPU 10 that is remote from the system 1, or also by an individual.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the present preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and that such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and without losing its advantages. Therefore, such changes and modifications are within the scope of the appended claims.
5 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5
36 members in 20 offices
Priority claims4
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68614200 | United States of America | A | |
| 68614200 | United States of America | A | |
| 09686142 | – | – | – |
| US20000686142 | – | – | – |
Members36
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2420658A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO0230313A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| AU9669101A | Australia | A | |
| WO0230313A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| WO0230313B1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | B1 | |
| NO20031255D0 | Norway | D0 | |
| NO20031255L | Norway | L | |
| US6582225B1 | United States of America | B1 | |
| US2003138752A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| EP1331897A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| CZ2003871A3 | Czechia | A3 | |
| BR0114546A | Brazil | A | |
| JP2004510539A | Japan | A | |
| MXPA03001522A | Mexico | A | |
| CN1536977A | China | A | |
| PL361979A1 | Poland | A1 | |
| EP1331897A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| AR044522A1 | Argentina | A1 | |
| UA75373C2 | Ukraine | C2 | |
| SA01220046B1 | Saudi Arabia | B1 | |
| SA1643B1 | Saudi Arabia | B1 | |
| RU2292856C2 | Russian Federation | C2 | |
| MY130245A | Malaysia | A | |
| CN100435750C | China | C | |
| EP1331897B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| AT431112T | Austria | T | |
| ATE431112T1 | Austria | T1 | |
| DE60138723D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| JP4292006B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| PL203276B1This record | Poland | B1 | |
| ES2326309T3 | Spain | T3 | |
| CA2420658C | Canada | C | |
| US8303301B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| CZ304155B6 | Czechia | B6 | |
| BR0114546B1 | Brazil | B1 | |
| BRPI0114546B1 | Brazil | B1 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 203276
- Publication, DOCDB
- 203276
- Publication, EPODOC
- PL203276B
- Application
- 361979
- Application, DOCDB
- 36197901
- Application, EPODOC
- PL20010361979
Titles2
- English
- A DENTAL DIAGNOSING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS AND A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR PROVIDING SAME
- Polish
- Urządzenie do diagnozowania stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika, system do diagnozowania stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika i sposób diagnozowania stanu ortodontycznego użytkownika
Classification
- CPC, 5
- A61C7/00
- A61C7/002
- A61C9/0006
- A61C19/04
- A61C9/0046
- IPC, 7
- A61C3 00
- A61C19 04
- A61B1 24
- A61B6 51
- A61C7 00
- A61C9 00
- A61C13 08
